KARACHI: The Sindh government has announced that farmers across the province can submit their applications for subsidized solar panels to the Director General Agriculture Water Management office in Hyderabad by September 20, 2025. According to Sindh Agriculture Minister Sardar Muhammad Baksh Mahar, the initiative aims to promote water-efficient farming through drip irrigation systems. Under the scheme, farmers with 5 to …

ISLAMABAD: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) hosted ambassadors and senior diplomats from more than thirty foreign missions at the National Emergencies Operations Center on Thursday in Islamabad. The session aimed to brief the diplomatic community on the humanitarian and infrastructural impacts of the monsoon season and to highlight NDMA’s response and resource deployment. Ambassadors and representatives from countries including …

MULTAN: The swelling waters of River Chenab have surrounded Jalalpur Pirwala in Multan district. Strong flood waves have cut off the town from all sides and forced thousands of residents to leave their homes. On the Uch Sharif highway, an embankment breach has widened, creating further danger for nearby villages. Evacuation is taking place on emergency grounds. Following directions of …

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Religious Affairs has extended the deadline for Hajj registration under the private scheme due to flood-related disruptions. Registration is continuing on the ministry’s online portal. Originally, private scheme applicants were allowed to register until September 8. According to ministry sources, more than 21,000 pilgrims have registered so far. Officials said that private Hajj operators will give …

Islamabad: The Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) on Thursday hosted a seminar titled “Pakistan Governance Roadmap 2025: Civil Service Reform, Now or Never”. The session, moderated by Dr. Faheem Jehangir, Dean Policy at PIDE & PD RASTA, was led by Dr. Adnan Rafiq, Member (Governance) at the Planning Commission of Pakistan, and brought together policymakers, academics, and students to …

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Energy (Power Division) has released an update on electricity restoration efforts in flood-affected areas across the country, reporting that power supply has been restored to a majority of consumers while work continues in regions where floodwaters are still obstructing access. According to the Power Division, 51 grid stations and 537 feeders across multiple power distribution companies …

PESHAWAR: In a major crackdown against narcotics, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Excise Department has successfully foiled a smuggling attempt and seized a huge quantity of drugs worth millions of rupees. The operation was carried out near No Gazay Baba, Khyber district, under the ongoing anti-narcotics emergency announced by KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. Acting on a tip-off, the Excise …

Indian actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has approached the Delhi High Court after her name, images, and voice were allegedly used in pornographic and sexually explicit content generated through artificial intelligence (AI). According to Indian media reports, Rai’s lawyer, senior advocate Sandeep Sethi, told the court that several online platforms had used the actor’s likeness without consent, in ways meant to …

Constipation, a common digestive problem affecting about one in seven adults, may be prevented through simple lifestyle habits, researchers have revealed. A new study suggests that middle-aged people who get enough sleep, eat well, exercise regularly, and avoid harmful substances can significantly reduce their risk. Five habits that protect against constipation According to researchers from the Chinese University of Hong …

Nepal’s army will resume talks on Thursday with “Gen Z” protesters to decide a new interim leader for the Himalayan nation, an army spokesperson said, after angry demonstrations that killed 30 and forced the prime minister to resign. Soldiers patrolled the quiet streets of Kathmandu, the capital, after its worst protests in years triggered by a social media ban that …

The 77th death anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah – the Father of the Nation –  is being observed across Pakistan today (Thursday) with deep respect and reverence. The day began with special prayers in mosques for the eternal peace of his soul, along with prayers for the country’s stability, peace, and prosperity. Muhammad Ali Jinnah, through his vision and …

Multan’s Tehsils Jalalpur and Alipur are reeling under devastating floods as the Chenab River’s flow surged to 668,000 cusecs at Head Panjnad, wiping out entire settlements and displacing millions. Authorities report that nearly 80% of Alipur Tehsil has been submerged, altering the map of the region and destroying crops across hundreds of acres. The rising floodwaters have devastated dozens of …

Security forces killed 19 Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists—also referred to as Khwarij—in three separate intelligence-based operations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on September 9 and 10, according to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The ISPR said that acting on intelligence reports of terrorist presence, security forces launched an operation in the Guluno area of Mohmand District. Troops effectively engaged the …

ISLAMABAD: Energy experts and policy analysts have said that Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) can revolutionize Pakistan’s energy sector by stabilizing the national grid, reducing load-shedding and ensuring better integration of renewable energy. They shared these views at a seminar organized by the Pakistan-German Climate and Energy Partnership (PGCEP) in collaboration with the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) under the …

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr. Musadik Malik met with Luke Mayers, Chargé d’Affaires of the Canadian High Commission, to discuss Pakistan’s ongoing flood crisis and areas of bilateral cooperation. According to the press statement of the Ministry on Wednesday, Luke Mayers, Chargé d’Affaires of the Canadian High Commission expressed deep empathy and solidarity with the …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has termed toxic propaganda against Pakistan’s armed forces as “intolerable,” warning that those ridiculing national institutions on social media will be identified and held accountable. Speaking at a federal cabinet meeting on Wednesday, PM Sharif said that certain elements are spreading toxic propaganda against the armed forces and targeting institutions online. He stressed that those who …

PESHAWAR: Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi held a meeting with the newly appointed US Consul General in Peshawar, Thomas Eckert, at the Governor House on Wednesday. Governor Kundi congratulated Eckert on his new assignment and expressed hope that his posting would further strengthen Pak-US relations. The two discussed matters of mutual interest, people-to-people contacts, and cooperation in various sectors. …

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party Vice President Senator Sherry Rehman has called for urgent agricultural reforms to protect farmers devastated by this year’s destructive floods. She stressed the need for a national crop insurance policy along with emergency subsidies on seed and fertilizer to help farmers replant their fields. In her media statement, Sherry Rehman said that floods have destroyed crops …

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Energy (Power Division) has reported on Wednesday that floods across the country disrupted electricity for 1,713,786 consumers, but restoration work has already reconnected the majority, with 1,429,415 consumers back on supply. According to the latest report, 51 grids and 526 feeders were affected nationwide. Out of these, 286 feeders are now fully restored while 233 are …

ISLAMABAD: On the special directives of the Prime Minister, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has stepped up its relief operations in Punjab’s flood-affected areas. According to the NDMA’s Media Wing on Wednesday, 20 trucks loaded with relief goods were dispatched today from the authority’s Islamabad warehouse. The supplies will be handed over to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) …

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as engines of sustainable growth during the 8th Meeting of the D-8 Governmental Bodies on SMEs, held virtually. Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan, participated in the session, alongside Secretary of Industries and Production, Saif Anjum, and CEO of SMEDA, …

Intermittent heavy rains over the past two days have plunged Karachi into crisis, with Malir and Lyari rivers overflowing, low-lying neighborhoods submerged, and hundreds of residents rescued by the army, Rangers, and Rescue 1122 teams. The rains caused Karachi’s dams to overflow, inundating residential areas in Scheme 33, including Saadi Town. Major arteries such as the M-9 Motorway, Sohrab Goth, …

The Auditor General of Pakistan has uncovered financial irregularities exceeding Rs243 billion in the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), pointing to large-scale mismanagement, embezzlement, and defaults during the 2022-23 audit. The report raised serious questions over SBP’s performance as a regulator, stating the central bank failed multiple times to safeguard the national exchequer and the interests of consumers. According to …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the Israeli airstrikes on Doha during a telephone conversation with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The prime minister conveyed condolences to the emir, the royal family and the people of Qatar. He described the Israeli strikes as a brutal act that reflected the mindset of the Israeli leadership. He said the aggression …

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr. Musadik Malik ON Tuesday met with Ireland’s first Ambassador to Pakistan Mary O’Neill, to discuss climate cooperation and explore new areas of collaboration. The meeting comes after Ireland opened its embassy in Islamabad last year. According to Ministry’s official statement, Both sides exchanged views on the global climate situation and …

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Energy, Sardar Owais Ahmad Khan Leghari, has announced that Pakistan aims to generate 60 percent of its power from renewable sources by 2030, calling it a cornerstone of the country’s energy strategy. Speaking virtually at the inaugural meeting of the Board of Governors of the ECO Clean Energy Center (CECECO) on Tuesday, the minister highlighted Pakistan’s …

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Türkiye have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening economic, trade, and strategic cooperation during the 16th Pakistan–Türkiye Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) held in Islamabad. The meeting was co-chaired by Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan and Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler. Both sides stressed the need to give new momentum to trade relations, calling Pakistan and Türkiye …

PAKPATTAN: Floods in the Sutlej River have devastated large parts of Pakpattan, submerging 23 villages completely and leaving 53 villages partially under water. According to the Flood Control Room, at least 64,663 people have been affected and over 66,913 acres of farmland has gone under water. More than 24,974 people have already been evacuated from flood-hit areas. The Provincial Disaster …

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Energy (Power Division), Government of Pakistan, has released an update on the restoration of electricity in flood-affected areas, reporting significant progress across multiple distribution companies. According to the Power Division, a total of 50 grid stations and 523 feeders were impacted nationwide. Out of these, 280 feeders have been fully restored while 237 have been partially …

PESHAWAR: The Auditor General’s report for 2021–22 has criticized the performance of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Technology (KP IT) Board, calling its progress on digitalization of government departments disappointing. According to the audit findings, the IT Board managed to digitize only 10 departments, including Higher Education and Local Government, within the given timeframe, despite receiving over Rs. 40 million in …

MUZAFFARGARH: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has called for immediate relief measures for farmers in flood-affected areas, including a waiver of electricity bills and provision of seeds and fertilizers. Speaking to flood victims in Thatta Sial, Muzaffargarh, Bilawal said farmers already devastated by floods should not be further burdened with electricity bills. He stressed that ensuring access …

KARACHI/ISLAMABAD: The Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) has strengthened its commitment to Pakistan with the successful conclusion of a four-day B2B roadshow in Karachi and Islamabad. The event introduced new MICE opportunities and destination experiences, reinforcing ties between the two countries’ travel and business sectors. The roadshow brought together Saudi stakeholders such as leading hotels, destination management companies, destination marketing organizations, …

ISLAMABAD: The Power Division has released its latest report on Monday regarding electricity restoration in flood-hit areas, confirming that over 1.4 million consumers have had their supply restored while work continues for the remaining users. According to the report, Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) faced major damage with 27 grid stations and 80 feeders affected across Toba Tek Singh, Faisalabad, …

LAHORE: Police have identified the human skeleton found a few days ago in Kahna as that of a woman named Margret, who was murdered by her own two sons. According to police sources, Margret was strangled to death by her sons, Shafiq James and Nabeel James, after she refused to give them money. The body was later dumped near fields. …

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal has said that Pakistan’s economy is showing signs of recovery as inflation has eased, revenues have surged, and development spending has picked up pace. Speaking at the release of the Monthly Development report in Monday, the minister said inflation dropped sharply to 3.5% in the first two months of FY2026, down …

Chief Justice Yahya Afridi has said that judges are not required to seek permission during judicial vacations, but outside of public holidays they must inform before taking leave. Speaking at the Judicial Conference, the Chief Justice clarified that there is no restriction on judges traveling during vacations. He said a system has been put in place to regulate leave during …

India has released more water into the Sutlej River, raising fears of another major flood. The country continues its water aggression and violation of the Indus Waters Treaty. According to the Ministry of Water Resources, the Indian High Commission has warned of high-level flooding at two locations along the Sutlej. An extremely high flood is expected at Harike and Ferozepur. …

Incidents of solar panel theft from government schools in Punjab during 2022 and 2023 have come to light, ARY News reported on Sunday. According to details, following revelations of widespread thefts, the Punjab Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has directed police to investigate the matter. The report highlighted that in Rajanpur alone, solar panels were stolen from 50 schools during 2022–23. …

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has said that the provincial government is on high alert amid a looming flood threat, with flood monitoring cells already established across vulnerable areas. Chairing a high-level briefing with the administrations of Sukkur and Larkana, the chief minister said that preparations have been made to manage water flows of up to 800,000 cusecs. “We …

After the conclusion of judicial vacations, the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) is set to commence its new judicial year tomorrow, marking the return to full judicial activity. In this regard, the new roster for the upcoming week has also been issued. The day will begin with a Judicial Conference scheduled for 9:30 AM on September 8, where Chief Justice …